Case Studies on Climate Change

Food Stories: Securing Food Supply

Secure food in a changing climate Practical Action is a charity that works in developing nations throughout the world. It is committed to poverty reduction, environmental conservation and technology choice.

The links show three examples of Practical Action's work in helping people to secure a stable food supply in a world where climate change impacts most heavily on the poorest of people.

Preserving biodiversity: seed fairs in Kenya

Modern agriculture often uses just one or two varieties of high-yielding crops, and these may be developed far from the country they will be used in. This lack of diversity means there is a danger that these varieties will not survive as climate change alters the environment.

Seed fairs in Kenya are helping to preserve traditional varieties of plants, often much better suited to local conditions, and maintain a healthy biodiversity in the changing climate.

Potatoes in Peru

Climate change in the Andes is resulting in more severe winters. Traditional varieties of potatoes are better able to withstand the climate than those developed elsewhere. Practical Action has helped local people to grow and propagate the traditional varieties to improve their food security.